Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-obstruction

National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

ImportantIt is possible that the main title of the report Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-obstruction is not the name you expected.

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Summary

Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIP) is a rare, potentially disabling gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abnormalities affecting the involuntary, coordinated muscular contractions (a process called peristalsis) of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Peristalsis propels food and other material through the digestive system under the control of nerves, pacemaker cells and hormones. CIP usually results from abnormalities affecting the muscles or nerves that are involved in peristalsis. Consequently, peristalsis becomes altered and inefficient. The symptoms of CIP resemble those caused by mechanical obstruction of the small bowel. Mechanical obstruction refers to something (such as a tumor, scar tissue, etc.) physically blocking the passage of food and other material through the GI tract. In individuals with CIP no such physical obstruction is present, hence the term pseudo-obstruction. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, abdominal swelling (distention) and constipation. Ultimately, normal nutritional requirements cannot be met leading to unintended weight loss and malnourishment. CIP can potentially cause severe, even life-threatening complications.

Introduction

There is no agreed upon classification system for CIP and proposed classification systems tend to be complex and confusing. There are also many different causes of CIP, which only adds to the confusion. The unifying concept for CIP regardless of cause is an abnormality affecting the passage of food and other material through the digestive system (gastrointestinal motility). Generally, CIP is broken down into two main forms depending on whether the disorder involves the muscles (myopathic CIP) or nerves (neuropathic CIP) of the GI tract that are involved in peristalsis. Some researchers lump enteric dysmotility together with CIP. The prognosis of this separate yet similar condition is different from CIP. This report deals solely with the strict definition of CIP as a disorder that causes an "obstruction-like" picture.

Supporting Organizations

Association of Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders, Inc. (AGMD)

12 Roberts Drive

Bedford, MA 1730

Tel: (781)275-1300

Fax: (781)275-1304

Email: digestive.motility@gmail.com.

Website: http://www.agmd-gimotility.org

Bowel Group for Kids Inc.

PO Box 40

Oakdale, NSW, 2570

Austrailia

Tel: 02 4659 6067

Fax: 61 2 4659 6381

Email: enquiries@bgk.org.au

Website: http://www.bgk.org.au

CORE

3 St. Andrews Place

London, NW1 4LB

United Kingdom

Tel: 2074860341

Fax: 2072242012

Email: info@corecharity.org.uk

Website: http://www.corecharity.org.uk

Digestive Disease National Coalition

507 Capitol Court, NE

Suite 200

Washington, DC 20002

Tel: (202)544-7497

Fax: (202)546-7105

Email: ddnc@hmcw.org

Website: http://www.ddnc.org

Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center

PO Box 8126

Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126

Tel: (301)251-4925

Fax: (301)251-4911

Tel: (888)205-2311

Website: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/

International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

700 W. Virginia St., 201

Milwaukee, WI 53217

USA

Tel: (414)964-1799

Fax: (414)964-7176

Tel: (888)964-2001

Email: iffgd@iffgd.org

Website: http://www.iffgd.org

NIH/National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive &#038; Kidney Diseases

Office of Communications & Public Liaison

Bldg 31, Rm 9A06

Bethesda, MD 20892-2560

Tel: (301)496-3583

Email: NDDIC@info.niddk.nih.gov

Website: http://www2.niddk.nih.gov/

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). For a full-text version of this report, go to www.rarediseases.org and click on Rare Disease Database under "Rare Disease Information".

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

Last Updated: 1/5/2012Copyright 2012 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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